Art Therapy for Anxious Children – Could It Be the Solution?

As we move through life, anxiety is something that we all experience. A small amount can even be healthy for us, but when our system becomes overwhelmed, anxiety can significantly impact our everyday lives. For parents, sleep issues, separation anxiety and even panic attacks may become all too familiar experiences. As an art therapist, I often encounter clients who battle with anxiety, particularly young children who struggle to communicate their feelings.

There are many treatment options for anxiety. In this post I am going to share with you why art therapy may be a suitable choice for your anxious child. When a child first enters the art therapy room, I can always see the dread on their face. They sit at the table where a variety of materials are available, sensing their nerves, I gently invite them to draw with me. Gradually, as hands are kept busy and gaze is focused on their art, the child begins to relax.

For many children, the Q&A format of traditional talk therapy can be anxiety-inducing, especially since they may have a limited vocabulary to articulate their experiences and emotions. Using art materials can allow children to better express feelings of fear and dread, without feeling overwhelmed with the anxiety itself. By engaging in creative activities like painting, making, and drawing, children can freely explore their inner worlds in a safe and containing environment.

Art therapy’s effectiveness in managing anxiety is supported by research. A study titled The Effects of Art Therapy Interventions on Anxiety in Children and Adolescents found that art therapy had a significant impact on reducing state anxiety, which refers to anxiety experienced in specific situations. This suggests that art therapy can be especially beneficial for helping children and adolescents navigate acute stressors, providing them with tools to manage their anxiety more effectively in the moment.

As a child, creative activities always calmed my mind. The inherently soothing qualities that art making possesses can offer calming, meditative experiences for children. Where mindfulness encourages focus on the here and now, engaging in creative activities can interrupt cycles of repetitive thoughts and worries, helping to calm the body and, in turn, the mind. With regular calming of the nervous system, children are able to slow down and think about what is happening for them emotionally.

They may begin to experience fewer anxious feelings as their bodies learn to readjust and manage stress more effectively. There are many techniques art therapists can use to help children understand their emotions in a way that is tolerable for them.

If you feel that art therapy could support your child with their anxiety please get in touch!